From left to right, Barkley Lake Water Commissioner R.C. Stallons, State Representative Melvin Henley, Commission Chairman Terry Lee McNichols, Rural Development Director Kenneth Slone, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield’s Field Representative Michael Pape, and U.S. Senator Ken Bunning’s Field Representative Rachel Nave McCubbin smile as they hold a ceremonial check for $4,902,000 representing the sum of a loan and grant from the USDA’s Rural Development Division for improvements to the district’s infrastructure.

Elected officials from federal, state and local levels and their representatives descended on Lake Barkley State Park on Monday to present a ceremonial check to the Barkley Lake Regional Water District.

The check, made out for $4,902,000 represented the sum of a $4 million loan and a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Department.

Kenneth Slone, State Director of Rural Development said, “It’s not every day I bring a $5 million check to you. Our congressmen and senators make this all possible with their support. They know the good things you do with water systems and have been very supportive of this project and of Rural Development.”

The water district earmarked the loan and grant funding to refurbish the water treatment plan at Lake Barkley, install new water lines and pumps and replace a water storage tank at Pete Light Springs.

“The government has no money of its own,” said Slone. “This is taxpayer money coming back to you in the community.”